U.S. patent application number 10/981186 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-12 for pulse oximeter access apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Al-Ali, Ammar, Converston, Ronald, Kiani, Massi E..
Application Number | 20050101848 10/981186 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34556383 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050101848 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Al-Ali, Ammar ; et
al. |
May 12, 2005 |
Pulse oximeter access apparatus and method
Abstract
Access is provided to certain pulse oximetry systems utilizing a
keyed sensor and a corresponding locked sensor port of a restricted
access monitor. In such systems, the keyed sensor has a key
comprising a memory element, and the monitor has a memory reader
associated with the sensor port. The monitor is configured to
function only when the key is in communications with the locked
sensor port, and the memory reader is able to retrieve
predetermined data from the memory element. The monitor is accessed
by providing the key separate from the keyed sensor, integrating
the key into an adapter cable, and connecting the adapter cable
between the sensor port and an unkeyed sensor so that the monitor
functions with the unkeyed sensor.
Inventors: |
Al-Ali, Ammar; (Tustin,
CA) ; Converston, Ronald; (Portola Hills, CA)
; Kiani, Massi E.; (Laguna Niguel, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
34556383 |
Appl. No.: |
10/981186 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60517954 |
Nov 5, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/323 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2560/0475 20130101;
A61B 2560/0266 20130101; A61B 5/7221 20130101; A61B 2562/222
20130101; A61B 2562/08 20130101; A61B 5/14551 20130101; A61B
2562/221 20130101; A61B 5/7271 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/323 |
International
Class: |
A61B 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a pulse oximetry system comprising a keyed sensor and a
corresponding locked sensor port of a restricted access monitor,
said keyed sensor having a key comprising a memory element, said
monitor having a memory reader associated with said sensor port,
said monitor configured to function only when said key is in
communications with said locked sensor port and said memory reader
is able to retrieve predetermined data from said memory element, an
access method comprising the steps of: providing said key separate
from said keyed sensor; integrating said key into an adapter cable;
and connecting said adapter cable between said sensor port and a
unkeyed sensor so that said monitor functions with said unkeyed
sensor.
2. The access method according to claim 1 wherein said providing
step comprises the substeps of: purchasing said keyed sensor; and
removing said key from said keyed sensor.
3. The access method according to claim 2 wherein said removing
step comprises the substep of detaching a patient cable connector
containing said key from said keyed sensor.
4. The access method according to claim 2 wherein said providing
step comprises the substep of removing said key from a patient
cable connector portion of said keyed sensor.
5. The access method according to claim 1 wherein said providing
step comprises the substeps of: providing said memory element;
programming said memory element with said predetermined data; and
incorporating said memory element into a connector.
6. The access method according to claim 1 wherein said integrating
step comprises the substeps of: providing a keyless adapter cable
having a first end, an opposite second end, and a first connector
attached to said first end; and attaching a second connector having
said key to said second end.
7. The access method according to claim 6 wherein: said adapter
cable is a sensor adapter; said first connector is a sensor
connector adapted to mate with a patient cable connector of said
generic sensor; and said second connector is a patient cable
connector adapted to mate with a sensor connector of a patient
cable.
8. The access method according to claim 6 wherein: said adapter
cable is a patient cable; and said second connector is one of a
monitor connector adapted to mate with said sensor port and a
sensor connector adapter to mate with a patient cable connector of
said unkeyed sensor.
9. The access method according to claim 1 wherein said connecting
step comprises the substeps of: mating a patient cable to said
sensor port; connecting said adapter cable between said patient
cable and said unkeyed sensor.
10. The access method according to claim 1 wherein said connecting
step comprises the substeps of: mating said adapter cable to said
sensor port; connecting said unkeyed sensor to said adapter
cable.
11. A pulse oximeter access apparatus comprising: a sensor having
emitters adapted to transmit light of at least first and second
wavelengths into a fleshy medium and a light sensitive detector
adapted to generate at least first and second intensity signals by
detecting the light after absorption by constituents of pulsatile
blood flowing within the fleshy medium; a monitor configured to
non-invasively measure at least one physiological parameter
responsive to magnitudes of said intensity signals; a key
containing access information; a sensor port configured to
communicate emitter drive signals from said monitor to said sensor,
said intensity signals from said sensor to said monitor, and access
information from said key to said monitor; a lock associated with
said sensor port adapted to read said access information from said
key and to enable said monitor to provide measurements of said at
least one physiological parameter in response to said access
information; and an adapter cable configured to provide a
communications link between said sensor and said sensor port, said
adapter cable containing said key.
12. The pulse oximeter access apparatus according to claim 11
wherein said key comprises a memory element removed from a second
sensor, said memory element programmed with said access
information.
13. The pulse oximeter access apparatus according to claim 12
wherein said memory element is incorporated into a patient cable
connector detached from said second sensor, said patient cable
connector being reattached to said adapter cable.
14. The pulse oximeter access apparatus according to claim 12
wherein said memory element is incorporated into a connector
portion of said adapter cable.
15. The pulse oximeter access apparatus according to claim 14
wherein said adapter cable is configured to connect between said
sensor and a patient cable.
16. The pulse oximeter access apparatus according to claim 14
wherein said adapter cable is a patient cable configured to connect
to said sensor at one end and said sensor port at another end.
17. A pulse oximeter access apparatus comprising: a sensor means
for providing a physiological signal to a monitor; a key means for
providing access to a locked sensor port portion of said monitor;
and an adapter cable means for providing communications between
said sensor and said sensor port, said adapter cable means
containing said key means.
18. The pulse oximeter access apparatus according to claim 17
further comprising: a patient cable means for providing
communications between said sensor and said sensor port; and a
connector means for mating with said patient cable means, said key
means integrated into said connector means, said connector means
attached to said adapter cable means.
19. The pulse oximeter access apparatus according to claim 18
further comprising: a second sensor means for providing a
physiological signal to a monitor, said second sensor means
providing said connector means.
20. The pulse oximeter access apparatus according to claim 18
further comprising: a second sensor means for providing a
physiological signal to a monitor, said second sensor means
providing said key means.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority benefit under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/517,954, filed Nov. 5, 2003, entitled "PULSE OXIMETER ACCESS
APPARATUS AND METHOD," which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Pulse oximeters have gained rapid acceptance in a wide
variety of medical applications, including surgical wards,
intensive care units, general wards and home care by providing
early detection of decreases in the arterial oxygen supply,
reducing the risk of accidental death and injury. FIG. 1
illustrates a pulse oximetry system 100 having a sensor 110 applied
to a patient 10, a monitor 160, and a patient cable 140 connecting
the sensor 110 and the monitor 160. The sensor 110 has a sensor
body 111 that houses emitters and a detector and is attached to a
patient at a selected fleshy medium site, such as a fingertip or
ear lobe. The emitters are positioned to project light of at least
two wavelengths through the blood vessels and capillaries of the
fleshy medium. The detector is positioned so as to detect the
emitted light after absorption by the fleshy medium, including
hemoglobin and other constituents of pulsatile blood flowing within
the fleshy medium, and generate at least first and second intensity
signals in response. The sensor 110 has a patient cable connector
114 and may have an integrated sensor cable 112. The sensor 110 may
be a disposable adhesive sensor for use on a single patient or a
reusable clip-on sensor for use on multiple patients.
[0003] As shown in FIG. 1, the monitor 160, which may be a
standalone device or may be incorporated as a module or built-in
portion of a multiparameter patient monitoring system, computes at
least one physiological parameter responsive to magnitudes of the
intensity signals. A monitor 160 typically provides a numerical
readout of the patient's oxygen saturation 164, a numerical readout
of pulse rate 166, and a display the patient's plethysmograph 168,
which provides a visual display of the patient's pulse contour and
pulse rate. The monitor 160 has a sensor port 162 that transmits
emitter drive signals to the sensor 110 and receives the detector
intensity signals from the sensor 110. The patient cable 140
provides the electrical and mechanical connection and
communications link between the sensor port 162 and the sensor 110.
The patient cable 140 has a sensor connector 142 that connects to
the patient cable connector 114 and a monitor connector 144 that
connects to the sensor port 162.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Pulse oximeters have gained rapid acceptance in a wide
variety of medical applications, including surgical wards,
intensive care units, general wards and home care by providing
early detection of decreases in the arterial oxygen supply,
reducing the risk of accidental death and injury. FIG. 1
illustrates a pulse oximetry system 100 having a sensor 110 applied
to a patient 10, a monitor 160, and a patient cable 140 connecting
the sensor 110 and the monitor 160. The sensor 110 has a sensor
body 111 that houses emitters and a detector and is attached to a
patient at a selected fleshy medium site, such as a fingertip or
ear lobe. The emitters are positioned to project light of at least
two wavelengths through the blood vessels and capillaries of the
fleshy medium. The detector is positioned so as to detect the
emitted light after absorption by the fleshy medium, including
hemoglobin and other constituents of pulsatile blood flowing within
the fleshy medium, and generate at least first and second intensity
signals in response. The sensor 110 has a patient cable connector
114 and may have an integrated sensor cable 112. The sensor 110 may
be a disposable adhesive sensor for use on a single patient or a
reusable clip-on sensor for use on multiple patients.
[0005] As shown in FIG. 1, the monitor 160, which may be a
standalone device or may be incorporated as a module or built-in
portion of a multiparameter patient monitoring system, computes at
least one physiological parameter responsive to magnitudes of the
intensity signals. A monitor 160 typically provides a numerical
readout of the patient's oxygen saturation 164, a numerical readout
of pulse rate 166, and a display the patient's plethysmograph 168,
which provides a visual display of the patient's pulse contour and
pulse rate. The monitor 160 has a sensor port 162 that transmits
emitter drive signals to the sensor 110 and receives the detector
intensity signals from the sensor 110. The patient cable 140
provides the electrical and mechanical connection and
communications link between the sensor port 162 and the sensor 110.
The patient cable 140 has a sensor connector 142 that connects to
the patient cable connector 114 and a monitor connector 144 that
connects to the sensor port 162.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates a restricted access pulse oximetry system
200 having a keyed sensor 210 and a restricted access monitor 260.
The keyed sensor 210 and restricted access monitor 260 are designed
so that the monitor 260 will only function with a specific sensor
or family of sensors from a specific manufacturer or licensed
vendors. Upon power up, the sensor port 262 is locked. That is, the
monitor 260 will not function until it reads the correct
information from the sensor port 262. In particular, a patient
cable connector 214 has a memory device. The memory device and the
data stored in the memory device act as a key. The sensor port 262
and a memory reader in the monitor associated with the sensor port
262 act as a lock. When the keyed patient cable connector 214 is in
communications with the locked sensor port 262 via a patient cable
240, the memory reader can access the data stored in the memory
device. If the stored data matches predetermined access data, the
monitor unlocks the sensor port 262, i.e. properly functions with a
sensor attached to the sensor port 262. A memory device commonly
used for storing manufacturer and product information is the DS2502
from Dallas Semiconductor, which has a 1 kbit memory that is
accessed through a single pin that provides data input, data output
and power. Once the sensor port 262 is unlocked, the sensor 210,
patient cable 240, sensor port 262 and monitor 260 function as
described with respect to FIG. 1, above.
[0007] One aspect of a pulse oximeter access method is used in
conjunction with a pulse oximetry system comprising a keyed sensor
and a corresponding locked sensor port of a restricted access
monitor. The keyed sensor has a key comprising a memory element.
The monitor has a memory reader associated with the sensor port.
The monitor is configured to function only when the key is in
communications with the locked sensor port and the memory reader is
able to retrieve predetermined data from the memory element. The
access method comprises the steps of providing the key separate
from the keyed sensor, integrating the key into an adapter cable,
and connecting the adapter cable between the sensor port and an
unkeyed sensor so that the monitor functions with the unkeyed
sensor.
[0008] Another aspect of a pulse oximeter access apparatus
comprises a sensor having emitters adapted to transmit light of at
least first and second wavelengths into a fleshy medium and a light
sensitive detector adapted to generate at least first and second
intensity signals by detecting the light after absorption by
constituents of pulsatile blood flowing within the fleshy medium. A
monitor is configured to non-invasively measure one or more
physiological parameters responsive to magnitudes of the intensity
signals. A key contains access information. A sensor port is
configured to communicate emitter drive signals from the monitor to
the sensor, intensity signals from the sensor to the monitor, and
the access information from the key to the monitor. A lock
associated with the sensor port is adapted to read the access
information from the key and to enable the monitor to provide
measurements of the physiological parameters in response to the
access information. An adapter cable containing the key is
configured to provide a communications link between the sensor and
the sensor port.
[0009] A further aspect of a pulse oximeter access apparatus
comprises a sensor means for providing a physiological signal to a
monitor and a key means for providing access to a locked sensor
port portion of the monitor. An adapter cable means containing the
key means provides communications between the sensor and the sensor
port.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art pulse oximetry
system;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art pulse oximetry
system having a restricted access monitor with a locked sensor
port;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pulse oximeter access
apparatus;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a pulse oximeter access
method;
[0014] FIGS. 5-6 are perspective views of a keyed sensor and a
keyless adapter cable, respectively, illustrating lock removal and
reattachment; and
[0015] FIGS. 7-8 are perspective views of a keyed adapter cable and
an attached keyless sensor, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a pulse oximeter access apparatus 300
having a keyless sensor 810, a keyed adapter cable 700 and a
patient cable 240 that advantageously interconnect so as to allow
the keyless sensor 810 to function with a restricted access monitor
260 having a locked sensor port 262. The keyed adapter cable 700
has a keyed connector 214 at one end, which mates with a sensor
connector 242 of a patient cable 240, and a sensor connector 714 at
the opposite end, which mates with a patient cable connector 814 of
the keyless sensor 810. The monitor connector 244 mates with the
sensor port 262, providing communications between the keyless
sensor 810 and the sensor port 262 and between a memory element in
the keyed connector 214 and a memory reader within the monitor 260.
The sensor connector 714 of the keyed adapter cable 700 can be any
of a number of connectors that mate with any of a number of patient
cable connectors 814. Further, a family of keyed adapter cables 700
can be configured, each with a different sensor connector 714
compatible with a different keyless sensor 810 or family of keyless
sensors 810.
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a pulse oximeter access method 400 for
creating and utilizing a keyed adapter cable 700 (FIGS. 3, 7). In
an initial step, a sensor port key is provided by purchasing 410 a
keyed sensor configured for a particular restricted access monitor
260 (FIG. 2) and removing 420 the associated keyed connector 214
(FIG. 2), as described in further detail with respect to FIG. 5,
below. Further steps include providing 430 a keyless adapter cable
600 (FIG. 6), and attaching 440 the keyed connector 214 (FIG. 2) to
one end to make the keyed adapter cable 700 (FIG. 7), as described
in further detail with respect to FIGS. 6-7, below. Additional
steps include connecting 450 a keyless sensor 810 (FIG. 8) to the
keyed adapter cable, and accessing 460 the restricted access
monitor with the resulting adapted sensor 800 (FIG. 8), as
described in further detail with respect to FIG. 3, above, and FIG.
8, below.
[0018] FIGS. 5-6 illustrate obtaining a sensor key from a keyed
sensor 210 (FIG. 5) and using the key in the construction of a
keyed adapter cable 700 (FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 5, the keyed
connector 214 is removed from a keyed sensor 210, such as by
cutting the sensor cable 212 so as to leave sufficient wire for
reattachment. As shown in FIG. 6, a keyless adapter cable 600 is
provided having a cable 720 with a sensor connector 714 attached to
a first end and with unconnected wires 610 at a second end. The
removed keyed connector 214 is spliced or otherwise attached to the
second end by any of various well-known methods, such as soldering
or crimping followed by heat-shrink insulation to name a few
techniques.
[0019] Construction of a keyed adapter cable 700 (FIG. 7) is
described above with respect to removal and reattachment of a keyed
connector 214. In an alternative embodiment, the key or memory
element itself is removed from the keyed connector 214 of a keyed
sensor 210 (FIG. 5) and embedded into or otherwise integrated into
or incorporated with either one or both connectors of an otherwise
keyless adapter cable 600 to construct the keyed adapter cable 700
(FIG. 7). In yet another embodiment, an equivalent memory element
is purchased, developed or otherwise obtained and programmed with
access data compatible with the memory element of the keyed sensor
210 (FIG. 5) and embedded into or otherwise integrated into or
incorporated with either one or both connectors of an otherwise
keyless adapter cable 600 to construct the keyed adapter cable 700
(FIG. 7).
[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates a keyed adapter cable 700 having a sensor
connector 714, a keyed connector 214 and a cable 720
interconnecting the sensor connector 714 and keyed connector 214.
The sensor connector 714 is configured to connect to a sensor
patient cable connector 814 (FIG. 8), and the keyed connector 214
is configured to connect to a patient cable sensor connector 242
(FIG. 3). The keyed connector 214 has a memory element that is
readable by a restricted access monitor 260 (FIG. 3) so as to
unlock a locked sensor port 262 (FIG. 3), as described above.
[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates an adapted sensor 800 having a keyed
adapter cable 700 attached to a keyless sensor 810. The sensor
connector 714 of the keyed adapter cable 700 is mated to the
patient cable connector 814 of the keyless sensor 810. The
resulting adapted sensor 800 is configured to function with a
restricted access monitor 260 (FIG. 3) in an equivalent manner as a
keyed sensor 210 (FIG. 2). In particular, the keyed connector 214
mates with a patient cable 240 (FIG. 3), which mates with a locked
sensor port 262 (FIG. 3) of a restricted access monitor 260 (FIG.
3) so that monitor 260 (FIG. 3) functions with the keyless sensor
810, as described above with respect to FIG. 3.
[0022] A keyed adapter cable is described above with respect to an
adapter between a keyless sensor 810 and a patient cable 240 (FIG.
3). Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous for utilization
of a keyed connector 214 removed from a keyed sensor 210 (FIG. 5).
In an alternative embodiment, the patient cable 240 (FIG. 3) itself
is utilized as a keyed adapter cable between a keyless sensor 810
and a locked sensor port 262 (FIG. 3). In particular, a memory
element containing access data is removed from a keyed sensor 210
(FIG. 5) or a memory element is purchased, developed or otherwise
obtained and programmed with compatible access data. The memory
element is embedded into or otherwise integrated into or
incorporated with either one or both connectors of an otherwise
keyless patient cable 240 (FIG. 3) to construct a keyed adapter
cable.
[0023] A pulse oximeter access apparatus and method has been
disclosed in detail in connection with various embodiments. These
embodiments are disclosed by way of examples only and are not to
limit the scope of the claims that follow. One of ordinary skill in
art will appreciate many variations and modifications.
* * * * *